Board ratifies CAO signature on legal settlement in Riggs v. Mariposa County

Acting County Counsel Kevin Briggs told the board the county reached an agreement to resolve litigation brought by a contractor identified in the record as Mr. Riggs. The suit arose after the county’s Environmental Health Department declined to accept septic system certifications for certain vacation-rental permit applications; Riggs alleged violations of procedural and substantive due process among other claims.

Briggs said the federal court granted the county summary judgment on federal claims but declined to exercise jurisdiction over state-law claims, so the parties entered settlement discussions to resolve the remaining matters. Under the settlement the county will waive its defense-cost recovery, Mr. Riggs will forever release claims against the county, and Mr. Riggs may again submit septic-system certifications for vacation rental applications after meeting with Environmental Health staff to clarify certification requirements. Briggs stated that no money was paid to Mr. Riggs as part of the settlement.

The board was asked to ratify the county administrative officer’s signature on the agreement; supervisors moved and seconded the ratification and it passed unanimously. The board reported this action publicly after a closed session where it had earlier received information and provided direction to counsel.